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Intel to open source security software

Intel plans to open source its security software to push the adoption of secure ebusiness computing, particularly with the Linux operating system.

Intel plans to open source its security software to push the adoption of secure ebusiness computing, particularly with the Linux operating system.

The chip giant will announce plans to open source its Common Data Security Architecture (CDSA) on the web at no cost at a security conference in Munich tomorrow.

Making the software open source means that it can be modified and used by developers with any operating system to add security features to ebusiness applications. This will "allow companies around the world to develop software and hardware security products faster and cheaper", said Intel in a statement ahead of the announcement.

"This open source approach will also allow CDSA software to be used as the security infrastructure for the Linux operating system," said the company.

CDSA provides security services such as encryption and decryption, secure data storage and user authentication. It was adopted by standards body the Open Group in 1997, and is used by IBM, Compaq, Hewlett Packard and Motorola.

The announcement reveals the extent to which major IT players are following the open source model championed by Linux, and helping its adoption.

Andy Butler, a research director at analyst Gartner, said Linux "lacks a lot of richness in security that Risc Unix platforms have", but that the move can "only help the further adoption of Linux".

A Windows version of the CDSA open source software will be available from Intel in May. The 64 and 32-bit Linux versions will be available in August.